By Onyekachi Victoria Philip
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has a dedicated Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism under its Faculty of Management Sciences.
Unlike UI’s stronger emphasis on wildlife and ecotourism, UNIPORT offers a more direct B.Sc. Hospitality Management and Tourism programme.
The university programme is designed to prepare students for professional and academic careers across hospitality management and tourism.
It deliberately combines theoretical and practical learning, giving students knowledge and skills needed in the rapidly changing tourism and hospitality environment.
The department was formally established after the university’s Senate approved its creation on December 3rd,2009, following work that began with a committee constituted in 2007.
Academic activities commenced under the pioneer coordinator, Dr. C.A. Eketu, in 2010.
What students are trained to do:
The programme covers areas that prepare graduates for careers in:
Tourism management
Hospitality management
Hotel operations
Events
Travel
Tourism business
Destination management
Tourism research
Hospitality entrepreneurship.
The department also incorporates practical learning. In 2025, the university specifically reported visiting the food and beverage practical session of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, adding that the institution was providing students with opportunities to benefit from the growing tourism and hospitality industry.
Latest Information shows that Hospitality Management and Tourism remains an active undergraduate programme. The programme was also included in the university’s 2026 Post-UTME timetable.
The university is also currently advertising postgraduate opportunities in the discipline. Its 2026/2027 postgraduate admission notice includes PGD in Tourism and Hospitality Management and an M.Sc. in Hospitality Management and Tourism, with specialisations including:
Tourism and Leisure Studies
Hospitality and Event Management